Teammates wouldn’t go to bat for Roethlisberger with Goodell

Posted by Michael David Smith on January 31, 2011, 8:10 AM EST

Ben Roethlisberger may win his third Super Bowl with the Steelers on Sunday — and perhaps his first with teammates who actually like him.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated writes in today’s Monday Morning Quarterback column that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told him he talked to two dozen Steelers while he was deciding how to punish Roethlisberger at the beginning of this season, and to a man, Roethlisberger’s teammates declined to say anything supportive of their quarterback.

Goodell also told King he “doesn’t feel any connection” with Roethlisberger.

From all indications, however, Roethlisberger has made a concerted effort to change his ways since returning from his four-game suspension at the start of the 2010 season — and has started to earn the respect of teammates who, six months ago, weren’t prepared to speak to the commissioner on his behalf.

UPDATE: King has clarified his report to explain that Goodell spoke to other NFL players and not to Roethlisberger’s teammates.

“From all indications, however, Roethlisberger has made a concerted effort to change his ways since returning from his four-game suspension at the start of the 2010 season — and has started to earn the respect of teammates who, six months ago, weren’t prepared to speak to the commissioner on his behalf.”

Translation: He hasn’t raped anybody all year!

footballfan says:Jan 31, 2011 8:19 AM

One can only hope that his suspension, all of the media and fan bashing, and ultimately the fact that his teammates and team management not backing him got him to rethink his way of life. Maybe it was the thought of being traded to a team like the Raiders… I just hope the guy has his head on straight and the only thing we hear about him in the news is about winning and helping out. Only time will tell…

dennis2488 says:Jan 31, 2011 8:25 AM

ben roethlisberger is a bad person????? wake me up when theres something suprising.

freddieizzyb says:Jan 31, 2011 8:30 AM

ok, enough with this BS. No one cares anymore except for a few fans of other teams that cant neat the steelers. Why keep stiring the pot with this garbage? No one will ever know what really happened anyway, it didnt effect the team (as others hoped and prayed it would), and their were no chants in stadiums until the final browns blowout, and their were only like 10 fans left in the 3rd quarter anyway, so no one even heard them! Lets talk superbowl ok?

donterrelli says:Jan 31, 2011 8:30 AM

Goodell also told King he “doesn’t feel any connection” with Roethlisberger.

——————————

Why, because Ben didn’t brown nose him or pretend to be his friend? Who tries to be cool with the judge before the sentencing?

I usually like Peter King and I should also say that I’m a diehard Vikings guy as well.

This story however is the exact reason athletes and fans get pissed at the media. Why is this story coming out now during SB week? Where was this in training camp, Peter? This is the kind of thing that creates a potential unnecessary distraction about a story that was news 6 months ago.

C’mon Peter you’re better than that.

mightymightylafootball says:Jan 31, 2011 8:31 AM

“From all indications, however, Roethlisberger has made a concerted effort to change his ways since returning from his four-game suspension…”

Let me finish that for you:

“…because he know that if he didn’t, he’d be out on the street so fast that he’d need a crash helmet to survive the fall from grace.”

Nobody is impressed by veiled humility only when faced with personal loss (i.e., your money and your career, and possibly your freedom). In the real world, that’s just called survival.

neilpountney says:Jan 31, 2011 8:32 AM

As much as I have little respect for Ben Roethlisberger that was an absolutely classless comment by Roger Goodell. He has started a regime where he expects players to conform to certain standards of behaviour and morality and then he acts this way, its no wonder he has zero credibility

cheatsburgh says:Jan 31, 2011 8:33 AM

go pack go! rapists never win.

wte1 says:Jan 31, 2011 8:34 AM

I also heard that players were upset that Ben didn’t put the toilet seat down or replace the cap on the toothpaste.

tim1999 says:Jan 31, 2011 8:35 AM

Any person who is such an inherent jerk for such a long time doesn’t authentically change his ways overnight. This is a guy who blew off Make-A-Wish families. Does it get any lower than that? He may be more accomodating these days because he’s been slapped down and publicly humiliated by the league but Ben Roethlisberger is the same boorish cad he was a year ago.
Dude is really hard to root for.

chapnastier says:Jan 31, 2011 8:36 AM

I think it is clear that Fat Ben used to be a giant douche. However, he clearly has gotten his crap together and has improved his game and image to this point. It may change in the offseason when he is out with college freshman trying to get laid but for now he deserves the benefit of the doubt. I mean after hearing Glazer, Bradshaw and Siragusa talk about how much of a “feel good” story Vick’s comeback is, Ben should be praised as a damn saint.

Not to worry, but Deb and thousands of other kool-aide drinking fans find solace in the fact that Ben didn’t “rape” (only sexual assult) that GA coed.

Bottom line, Ben is an a$$hole but as long as he wears a Stealer jersey, then his lack of a moral compass is overlooked by the Stealer fans.

tdl8 says:Jan 31, 2011 8:42 AM

I wouldn’t stand up for a rapist either! Good for them for not supporting what Little Ben was doing!

wryly1 says:Jan 31, 2011 8:42 AM

BR will never win any Mr. Congeniality or ‘Good Guy’ awards. Hey, this is a guy who disowned his home town. Just one of those cold, impersonal, self-centered types. I’ve heard firsthand from both a guy and a girl who knew him in college he was the same way then, too. Not a guy who could be successful at anything other than his genetically inherited ability to play football. They say legendary Baseball HOF’er was a similar personality.

pappysarcasm says:Jan 31, 2011 8:43 AM

Alright a Steeler “schism” to start the week…now the field is level! Well Done MDS!

This is why Roethlisberger shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as Brady and Manning

maddog111 says:Jan 31, 2011 8:43 AM

Que the denial from Goodell in 3, 2, 1….

itsfootballnotfantasy says:Jan 31, 2011 8:49 AM

This site has gone down hill. I used to love this site. Now all you do is post stuff for ratings.

See this post early today:

Ready for a Super Bowl week focused on football
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 31, 2011, 12:17 AM EST

Quote from the article:

“For once, here’s to hoping we have a Super Bowl week that’s mostly about football.”

8 hrs later you post this article. Please follow your own hopes and advice!

wydok says:Jan 31, 2011 8:56 AM

“I’m especially looking forward to this Super Bowl week because it might actually be about football for once.”

theshakeweight says:Jan 31, 2011 9:01 AM

I am surprised this story didn’t get deleted by the Administrator. Seems like they like to delete negative Big Ben/Steeler comments for some reason?

sacram3ntal says:Jan 31, 2011 9:01 AM

Meh. Roethlisberger is honestly the only thing I don’t like about the Steelers, and I really can’t stand the kid.
He calls himself “schoolyard”, which basically means: “Read the defense? Heck no- I just run back and forth in the backfield long enough for a receiver to finally pop open.
That’s usually good enough for about 3 sacks, 160 yards, and, you know, our defense does the rest. This game is easy when you’re basically a big ogre with a decent arm.”

4sacroc says:Jan 31, 2011 9:02 AM

Like (2009) Favre, he’s a good quarterback but a bad guy.

marty2019 says:Jan 31, 2011 9:02 AM

I think Goodell used very poor judgment when he disclosed those conversations to Peter King. Those conversations were probably confidential.

xxwhodatxx says:Jan 31, 2011 9:02 AM

The Vick and Rosthlisbergers stories arn’t “feel good” stories, anyone with 1/2 a brain knows these 2 guys just did whatever they had to do to start making millions again it’s all an act. As soon as no one cares what they do, Vick will be killing dogs and Rothlisberger will be on the prowl for some fresh victims.

gridironman says:Jan 31, 2011 9:06 AM

JimmySmith says: Jan 31, 2011 8:41 AM

Not to worry, but Deb and thousands of other kool-aide drinking fans find solace in the fact that Ben didn’t “rape” (only sexual assult) that GA coed.

Bottom line, Ben is an a$$hole but as long as he wears a Stealer jersey, then his lack of a moral compass is overlooked by the Stealer fans.

===============================

So it looks like he’s a real jerk and may have committed a crime. Steeler fans should just forget about the other 51 players on the roster, forget the owners, the staff, and the history of the team that most of them have been behind their entire life, and stop rooting for them, right? That’s what you’re saying, and it makes just about zero sense.

meso0rnery says:Jan 31, 2011 9:07 AM

sunnyd89 says: Jan 31, 2011 8:43 AM

This is why Roethlisberger shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as Brady and Manning
——————————————————————-
Yeah, cause Tom Brady is such an upstanding citizen… When he’s not ordering his bodyguards to murder the paparazzi, and ignoring his illegitimate kid.

——————————————————————-
tim1999 says:

This is a guy who blew off Make-A-Wish families.

—————————————————————–
And just a week ago, Erin Rodgers blew off a cancer patient who was standing 2 feet in front of him, asking for his autograph…

Roethlisberger is an idiot, we all know that. There’s really not much anyone can say about this guy that would surprise me.

But even more important than that, It’s great that the NFL has a commissioner that engages in this gossipy, “half-off-the-record” type stuff. This is typical of Goodell’s character.

This guy is just what the NFL needs, especially with the upcoming negotiations. Because people really value that kind of behavior.

myspaceyourface says:Jan 31, 2011 9:11 AM

Why are you stirring this up again?

Is it simply for reaction from people who hate him?

Have you ever made mistakes in your life?

Did you want people constantly reminding you of them?

Please find some dignity. The guy was never convicted, arrested, or even charged with any crime.

Is he a hornytoad? probably. . . is he a criminal? Not yet.

buckeye044 says:Jan 31, 2011 9:16 AM

Again, people, Ben has never been charged with anything. He may be an idiot, but he does not have record.

themage78 says:Jan 31, 2011 9:18 AM

chapnastier says:
Jan 31, 2011 8:36 AM
I think it is clear that Fat Ben used to be a giant douche. However, he clearly has gotten his crap together and has improved his game and image to this point.
————————————————-
Has he really? I mean look at his appreance at the Pro Bowl last night. He said all the right things, but didn’t sound like he meant them. He’s in a white polo shirt in a cabin in front of a fireplace. While rodgers looks like he’s at a practice facility in a packers shirt.
Ben was sitting there preening himself waiting for it to start, while rodgers sat there staring straight ahead.
Ben’s ego still has the best of him. He’s still a jerk and doesn’t deserve to be in his 3rd superbowl. His defense wins championships for him.

ham1 says:Jan 31, 2011 9:21 AM

How about joining Vick and Stallworth and getting the Ed Block Courage Award? Maybe the Blockhead Award?

Why now? This story reeks of attempting to get teammates to question one another ….??

It won’t happen. Months ago when this all started a variety of Steeler players said in confidence to the Pittsburgh press – that Ben was a bit off with fans and some teammates. SO this was already reported. A couple of players even went on camera and stated that maybe this was a potential ‘learning moment’ for Ben.

The Steeler team and organization did try to show some solidarity – while still not entirely sure just how things would progress.

I guess since the Packers are getting bad press with teammates supposedly bickering …this must be an attempt to see if the Steelers can handle an “internal debate” ….won’t happen this team is going to focus on winning together.

This is an old story regardless of Goodell being brought up as the point, and it just feels like Mr King is reaching to churn up some controversy.

One has to wonder about what this site is becoming…….yes, I know NBC is also responsible for the trash out of MSNBC, but c’mon man, be worthwhile.

This is zero news. Everyone, including Ben, stated Ben was not liked by his teammates. Ben was offtrack and that is why he had problems. It is lame to just rehash the same story, just change the words around for super bowl week. Dudes, we already know he was not popular before. But ask those teammates now. Ask em.

Other funny thing about this site. You let people call Ben a rapist, etc. but funny how you don’t post the comments regarding the NY quarterback Sanchez, ya know, the QB who was ACTUALLY ARRESTED for rape while at the USC cheating factory. Oh no, can’t say that about the NY guy, but everyone just keep taking shots at the guy in Pittsburgh, who ya know, never actually was arrested for anything.

I wish you never sold out, esp. to these people.

joetoronto says:Jan 31, 2011 9:36 AM

jameswestphal says: Jan 31, 2011 8:37 AM

The kid wins Super Bowls. That’s kind of all that matters.
********************************************************
Yes, in Pittsburgh.

Hats off to the players for looking beyond football, unlike most Steeler fans.

For the past 2 weeks PFT has picked on Aaron Rodgers including a false story concerning a cancer patient Rodgers allegedly ignored. Turned out not to be true.

Now, PFT is back to picking on Ben. You guys at PFT are the TMZ of sports blogs. And, that is NOT a compliment. Get off this junk.

By the way, Roger Goodell is a bottom-feeder.

melikefootball says:Jan 31, 2011 9:51 AM

Isn’t it interesting how God-del continues to talk out of both sides of his mouth. On one hand the league office won’t divolge information about investigations and thoughts of. On the other hand he speaks out once again against the Steelers QB. He must be hating to see Pittsburgh once again in his pride and joy Super Bowl at Jonesville. Why would he even mention this.

nickster2k says:Jan 31, 2011 9:52 AM

Any person who is such an inherent jerk for such a long time doesn’t authentically change his ways overnight. This is a guy who blew off Make-A-Wish families.

===========================

This is just an outright lie. He has always maintained very good standing with Make-A-Wish and they even came out in his defense last Spring when the media was reporting a lot of heresay about him. Same with Ronald McDonald House charities. They both say he has been an absolute professional and very generous in working with them.

realitypolice says:Jan 31, 2011 9:53 AM

Um…..why would Goodell tell this to Peter King?

Don’t the Steelers in general and BR in particular have some right to expect that this process would have carried some level of confidentiality?

I’m not a Steeler fan, but this certainly isn’t going to do anything to assuage their feelings that Goodell has something against them.

I’m still not sure I believe that, but if I was one of the Steeler players who had spoken to Goodell, I would be understandably angry.

suhnami says:Jan 31, 2011 9:55 AM

I know at the end of the day QB’s are judged by superbowl victories but c’mon now can anyone honestly tell me that BEN is the reason why they’ve won recently?? People love to talk about Flacco and Sanchez and how they got put in perfect situations with strong defenses and running games but never want to throw Ben into that SAME category.

Fact is Pittsburgh as an organization has had a recipe of success forever. Ben and Tomlin both I think get way too much credit for inheriting a great situation to flourish. It’s like the rich kid being born into a wealthy family…the kid takes over the family business someday and may be very successful but is he truly wealthy because of himself or people prior??

No, I don’t think it should necessarily be held against Ben or Tomlin but at the end of the day they both fell into a great position and personally I think get way too much credit for the success when others get similar situations held against them (ie flacco). I am a Lions fan btw so I don’t really have any sort of bias here just giving my opinion.

My favorite is this whole Ben or Rodgers question being thrown out. the answer is simple to me…without Ben Pittsburgh went 3-1 to start the year…now, without Aaron Rodgers does anyone on here honestly think the Packers win more than 5 games??? Pittsburgh is still a .500+ team, possibly still a playoff team without Ben, the Pack, last place and deciding who they’re going to select with their top 5 pick in April…

I met Ben in his rookie camp and HE took the time to ask questions about what I did for a living and took time with others as well.

I own a sports card/ video game store in NY and one of my customers has a son who was granted a wish through the Make A Wish Foundation and he is a huge Steelers fan. He met many players including Ben who spent more time with him than anyone else.

So, for every BS story that comes out there are probably dozens of good ones that don’t. Why? Well, it doesn’t sell newspapers…or generate hits on sites like these.

Back in the day, there were handfuls of articles and journalists like this. What about Babe Ruth’s exploits, Ty Cobb killing his father-in-law, the gambling issues of Rogers Hornsby, Joe DiMaggio’s conquests, the gambling/fixing of games by Alex Kalas and Paul Hornung, etc., etc.? If these things were written about, it wasn’t for long. As a reporter you didn’t get access or were blackballed by athletes if you did.

It seems that EVERYTHING is WAY over reported…”oh, Brady has hair plugs” and here’s pics of Jay Cutler walking down the street..”he must’ve been faking the injury!”

Facts are facts and heresay is heresay. If you get arrested and/or convicted it is public record and SHOULD be news. If you are short with people and aren’t liked because you are an athlete/entertainer it SHOULDN’T be news.

In my opinion, there are way to many bloggers/writers/journalists/wannabes given credentials because they know how to type.

24/7 news coverage? Eh, I remember a day when we had 3 channels, 2 daily newspapers and they reported NEWS, not fillers, fluff and sensationalism.

Never thought I’d say it, but it WAS way better Back In The Day…

now my 16 year old wants to slap me for saying it…AGAIN.

patpatriotagain says:Jan 31, 2011 10:01 AM

mesoornery wrote:
“Yeah, cause Tom Brady is such an upstanding citizen… When he’s not ordering his bodyguards to murder the paparazzi, and ignoring his illegitimate kid.”
————————————————–
Spent his offseason in california to be near his son which drew ire from patriots fans who thought he was shirking OTA’s.

as to the alleged shooting, police investigated it and there was nothing to it.

get a life.

bluestree says:Jan 31, 2011 10:07 AM

You’ll never know what’s in a man’s heart. I did notice Mike Vick, while outwardly embracing the umpteenth retelling of his redeption story, clench his jaw as Jim Mora recounted his failings in Atlanta.
He says all the right things, so does Ben. What they really think, who knows?
If you want to give them the benefit of the doubt, you have every reason to, given their actions. If you don’t, that might be cynical, or wise. Time may tell, but either way it’s just a judgment call.
I’d like to believe they both realized their behavior was wrong because it was immoral, not just illegal. Not just bad pub. We’ll see.

tombrookshire says:Jan 31, 2011 10:09 AM

Seems a little odd for him to share this information so openly with the national media. Maybe the guy is so caught up in his own importance and dazzled by the media hanging on his every word that he has lost his sense of judgement. Surely this is designed to humiliate BR. Not that he shouldn’t be, but it is embarrassing and unnecessary right before the SB.

It’s interesting that Goodell would use Roethlisberger’s unpopularity as a reason for the suspension given that there was a paucity of evidence of him actually doing something illegal. He’s admitting that optics take precedence over truth. That popularity trumps regulation. And that he, Roger Goodell, is ok with that.

The irony of course is Goodell and Co are about to be extremely unpopular during the upcoming labor dispute. They’ll be waving the flag of Equity and Values when really we all know it’s about greed (thanks publicly traded Green Bay Packers). We can only hope another Goodell-like populist politician gets the chance to be arbiter and then Goodell will know what it’s like to be the one on the other side of a hypocrite.

Note to Roger. It’s the unpopular decisions that define your values not the ones that are the most politically expedient.

calloustongue says:Jan 31, 2011 10:17 AM

All of you Steeler fans were ripping Rodgers and the Packers all week over a minor issue of a team photo. Now it’s your turn. I doubt PFT will have to stretch the truth nearly as much with Big Ben as they had to with AR.

Chalk this up as another example of Goodell doing everything in his power to sabotage the Steelers. What a tool this guy is.

paulieorkid says:Jan 31, 2011 10:19 AM

IRONY ALERT:

“He is a very well-trusted man,” Richardson said. “He has always given me a feeling that I could trust him, going back to when we in Charlotte were one of about eight cities vying for an expansion franchise. Either you have that or you don’t, and he protects confidence as well as anyone I’ve met.”

“From all indications, however, Roethlisberger has made a concerted effort to change his ways since returning from his four-game suspension at the start of the 2010 season”
^^^^^
Nothing screams insincerity like changing your ways because you’ve been nationally outed as a complete prick. Personally, I don’t think Roethlisberger raped those girls, though I am pretty sure is a degenerate who thinks he is superior than the rest of us.

His “image rehab” sure seems to be a lot like everyone’s favorite dog drowning felon M. Vick, in other words, try not to come off like an abrasive jerk in interviews, always be cognizant when the cameras are on, sign some autographs, give everyone the time of day, etc.

I’m not buying any of it. Both of these guys, Vick and Roethlisberger are not good people, they would still be either drowning dogs or treating everyone like they are inferior, respectively, had they not been called on the carpet.

And thus, any newly crafted image is completely self serving and hollow.

I actually have pics of him all drunk and coked up at a after party. He thinks all the girls want him around here but they all cant stand him.
The media loves the steelers so much thats why you dont hear more about this scumbag.
If the media came to our town they would see how much this guy is a dirt bag…

steelersmichele says:Jan 31, 2011 10:41 AM

I thought the conversations that Goodell and Ben had were confidential. I guess not. Wonder how much Roger would like it if during media day, Ben started spilling some of their conversation to the press.

As for hating Ben, some of you guys can hate him all you want–but don’t tell Steelers fans to stop being Steelers fans because of Ben. There are many other guys on the team that shouldn’t be “hated” because of our QB. We’ve got Polamalu, Farrior, Woodley, and some great rookie receivers to cheer for.

I want my team to win because I’m a Steelers fan. I’m not going to turn my back on my team because of one player.

I love Steelers fans who say they’re not going to turn their back on their team because of one player. That’s kind of like an employee saying that he’s not going to stop supporting his company even if the CEO has been defrauding clients.

blackngoldmachine says:Jan 31, 2011 11:00 AM

“no connection with Ben”….GREAT! Nobody wants to be connected with you anyways..GODdell.
As for you haters, Ben has changed. I know we fans can never sway you but he will lead the Steelers to their 7th ring….ssoooooooo…
Ha!

I can’t wait til GODdell has to hand Ben that trophy! Oh man it’s gonna be great. And guess what…all you haters WILL be watchin, don’t lie. Especially you tuff tulkin New Yulkas!!! Dueches!
GO STEELERS!!!

richm2256 says:Jan 31, 2011 11:03 AM

Hmmmm… can’t seem to get a word in here, no matter what words I edit

gridironman says:Jan 31, 2011 11:03 AM

giablommi says: Jan 31, 2011 10:38 AM

“From all indications, however, Roethlisberger has made a concerted effort to change his ways since returning from his four-game suspension at the start of the 2010 season”
^^^^^
Nothing screams insincerity like changing your ways because you’ve been nationally outed as a complete prick.
=============================

I’m not sure if he has changed. If he can go 30 years without another incident than he may have. But I disagree that being nationally outed can’t change someone. It’s precisely the lack of being held accountable that created his behavior. I’ve changed over smaller things in my life, I can concede the possibility that he has over this.

meso0rnery says:Jan 31, 2011 11:08 AM

patpatriotagain says: Jan 31, 2011 10:01 AM

mesoornery wrote:
“Yeah, cause Tom Brady is such an upstanding citizen… When he’s not ordering his bodyguards to murder the paparazzi, and ignoring his illegitimate kid.”
————————————————–
Spent his offseason in california to be near his son which drew ire from patriots fans who thought he was shirking OTA’s.

as to the alleged shooting, police investigated it and there was nothing to it.

get a life.
————————————————————–
Wow. Isn’t it funny how you can say “as to the alleged shooting, police investigated it and there was nothing to it”, and the story dies there. Yet the police investigated the alleded rape, and there was nothing to it, but the story lives on and on and on with PFT and the Steeler haters…

richm2256 says:Jan 31, 2011 11:21 AM

Posts keep getting deleted. Guess the editor is a Steelers fan?

ihateannouncers says:Jan 31, 2011 11:30 AM

Why would Peter King put this in his column during Superbowl week?? Seems like he either has a personal vendetta against Ben (maybe Ben won’t give him any scoop?) or Goodell is nervous about Ben being compared to the great QB’s of all time if he wins his third ring. It certainly seems as if one of them is trying to create a major distraction for the Steelers, hopefully it has already been addressed in the locker room.

Steeler's Will says:Jan 31, 2011 11:37 AM

giablommi says:
Jan 31, 2011 10:38 AM

“Nothing screams insincerity like changing your ways because you’ve been nationally outed as a complete prick. Personally, I don’t think Roethlisberger raped those girls, though I am pretty sure is a degenerate who thinks he is superior than the rest of us.

His “image rehab” sure seems to be a lot like everyone’s favorite dog drowning felon M. Vick, in other words, try not to come off like an abrasive jerk in interviews, always be cognizant when the cameras are on, sign some autographs, give everyone the time of day, etc.

I’m not buying any of it. Both of these guys, Vick and Roethlisberger are not good people, they would still be either drowning dogs or treating everyone like they are inferior, respectively, had they not been called on the carpet.

And thus, any newly crafted image is completely self serving and hollow.”
——————-
The old “You’re only sorry you got caught” argument. That one infuriated me back when I was a juvenile delinquent.

Remember that Vick and Ben both have teams and the NFL that are supporting and bankrolling this image cleansing. Player, team, and league all stand to gain with a feel-good turned-his-life-around story. As for it being hollow, it’s too early to tell as there have been no reports of Vick murdering puppies or Ben squat thrusting minors in the bathroom.

If GODell in fact said those things to King, then he should be condemned. Why disclose what should be confidential commissioner inquiries at t he time he was doing his investigation of Ben and what to do? It is insane that he said that, period. What does the commissioner’s “code of conduct” say?

What happened to those tapes of Pats supposedly videotaping practices?

I thought PITT had some tough players, but they sound like a bunch of 16 year old girls.

steelersmichele says:Jan 31, 2011 11:57 AM

goawayeverybody says: I love Steelers fans who say they’re not going to turn their back on their team because of one player. That’s kind of like an employee saying that he’s not going to stop supporting his company even if the CEO has been defrauding clients.

So your team is full of angels? Who do you cheer for and I’ll tell you more than one player that has probably been arrested for something, yet you are still a fan, am I right? Don’t act like you’re better.

And I’m sure those employees would still be working and collecting a pay check if they could. Don’t kid yourself in these economic times.

I remember last week a Steelers linebacker (Woodley, I think) criticizing the Packers for initially not letting IR players in the Superbowl photo, pretty much saying something like that would not happen in Pittsburgh because the players are so close and have each other’s backs. Doesn’t seem so from this article.

giablommi says:Jan 31, 2011 12:06 PM

@ richm2256

That, or the editor doesn’t care that you spent a few minutes of your (and/or your employer’s) time typing something down only to have it disappear into thin air.

Me? I copy my comment to a Word document and if it doesn’t appear here, copy, paste and submit again. Usually works.

Down with censorship.

gbfanforever says:Jan 31, 2011 12:20 PM

“From all indications, however, Roethlisberger has made a concerted effort to change his ways since returning from his four-game suspension at the start of the 2010 season — and has started to earn the respect of teammates who, six months ago, weren’t prepared to speak to the commissioner on his behalf.”

What indications? Do you know who he is when the cameras aren’t on? No.

discosucs2005 says:Jan 31, 2011 12:23 PM

Does anyone else find it strange that Roger Goodell would tell a reporter stuff like this? It seems weird to me.

ravensrule says:Jan 31, 2011 12:24 PM

“From all indications, however, Roethlisberger has made a concerted effort to change”

– Why because he is playing good football ? I hate it when the media says stupid things like this,,,how do we really know he has changed ?

chazzmon says:Jan 31, 2011 12:36 PM

Let me list all the good things about the big rapist. He a great football player – the end.

Troll Nanny says:Jan 31, 2011 12:40 PM

Whether you’re a Steelers fan or not, I don’t see how anyone could possibly read this and NOT come to the conclusion that Roger Goodell is a loose cannon operating on his own agenda.

Football fans everywhere should at least be concerned, if not worried. Your team could be next.

I would like to question why Goodell is bringing this stuff up the week of the Super Bowl. Why would he do this? Does he not want Ben to win the Super Bowl this year? Does he want to try to stir things up in the locker room? Very interesting.

It appears Goodell has an agenda here. No question he doesn’t want Ben winning the Super Bowl.

I love Steelers fans who say they’re not going to turn their back on their team because of one player. That’s kind of like an employee saying that he’s not going to stop supporting his company even if the CEO has been defrauding clients.
——————————-

I think your analogy is close, but off just a bit. I would have written it as…

I love Steelers fans who say they’re not going to turn their back on their team because of one player. That’s kind of like……saying a share holder would not stop supporting their company even if the CEO was allegedly involved in a rape of an underage girl.

I see in this situation what I believe shareholders would do in that analogy….they would stick with the CEO as long as he increases profits (wins). If the CEO didn’t, you would hear more calls for his head….just as you would if Roelisberger sucked this year.

It’s pretty SOP human behavior.

dfinpds says:Jan 31, 2011 12:55 PM

The old “You’re only sorry you got caught” argument. That one infuriated me back when I was a juvenile delinquent.

Remember that Vick and Ben both have teams and the NFL that are supporting and bankrolling this image cleansing. Player, team, and league all stand to gain with a feel-good turned-his-life-around story. As for it being hollow, it’s too early to tell as there have been no reports of Vick murdering puppies or Ben squat thrusting minors in the bathroom.

While Vick may not be drowning puppies……Looked like Ben was the one GETTING the squat thrust from mendenhall last sunday…….just saying

Love how the Peter King comments are being scrubbed. Did someone get their little baby feelings hurt?

giablommi says:Jan 31, 2011 12:58 PM

“Whether you’re a Steelers fan or not, I don’t see how anyone could possibly read this and NOT come to the conclusion that Roger Goodell is a loose cannon operating on his own agenda.”
^^^^^
Not a Steelers fan, and completely agree that this is totally inappropriate coming from he league’s top executive.

Then again, who knows with Peter King, the guy is such a shameless name-dropper that Goodell may have told him something off the record and P.K. went with it just so that he could proudly announce that he had a conversation with Fuhrer Goodell.

Either way, it’s very unseemly.

skoobyfl says:Jan 31, 2011 12:59 PM

This is one of the reason’s the Steelers’ lose this game, they’re aren’t as unified as in previous years.

nitemare1 says:Jan 31, 2011 1:03 PM

@richm2256

you right about posts being deleted–PFT—not credible

they allow totaly false and outlandish comments to stand and delete rational comments

This is one of the reason’s the Steelers’ lose this game, they’re aren’t as unified as in previous years.
——————————–

It’s quite the opposite from what I have read.

If I read the article correctly, the comments from Steelers players to Godell was in the off season, before the “Change” in Ben.

From the articles I have read this last week the Steelers are quite unified behind Ben. And, IMO, the more this is brought up by the media the more unified the team will be behind the “changed” Reothlisberger.

Just an opinion.

Steeler's Will says:Jan 31, 2011 1:22 PM

dfinpds says:
Jan 31, 2011 12:55 PM
“While Vick may not be drowning puppies……Looked like Ben was the one GETTING the squat thrust from mendenhall last sunday…….just saying”

——————
Just saying what? That you’re unoriginal? Thanks for the heads-up.

“I would like to question why Goodell is bringing this stuff up the week of the Super Bowl. Why would he do this? Does he not want Ben to win the Super Bowl this year? Does he want to try to stir things up in the locker room? Very interesting.

It appears Goodell has an agenda here. No question he doesn’t want Ben winning the Super Bowl”

I completely agree.

This quotes do more to make Goodell look bad then Ben. Provides pretty clear proof to anyone looking at the situation objectively, that Goodell is an egotistical madman who makes decisions based solely on how much good PR he’s going to get, facts be damned.

Goodell has made it obvious that he wants the Steelers to lose, to serve as a vindication of Good (GB) over “Evil” ( Ben, James harrison, Steerlers front office, etc)

There was no purpose for these quotes to be released now, other than to unnecessarily pile on.
Really, no Steelers went to bat for Ben? I highly, highly doubt it give that he’s nicer to his crappy OL than any Qb in the league, (see Manning and how many times he’s thrown his OL under the bus).

Hopefully this offseason will be so terrible that Goodell will get pressured into resigning. The guy is scum.

“I hate it when the media says stupid things like this,,,how do we really know he has changed ?”

An equally fair question might be, how do you really know he hasn’t?

spyboots says:Jan 31, 2011 1:53 PM

This is God-ell’s way of telling the refs to continue the no-calls when Ben is illegally hit and showing his anti-Steeler prejudice.

spyboots says:Jan 31, 2011 1:55 PM

… and it’s also God-dell’s way of getting back at Rooney for speaking up AGAINST the 18-game season that God-dell is trying so hard to push.

meso0rnery says:Jan 31, 2011 1:59 PM

ravensrule says: Jan 31, 2011 12:24 PM

“I hate it when the media says stupid things like this,,,how do we really know he has changed ?”
——————————————————————
Did you say this when Ray Lewis was trying to become a better person? You have so much doubt in your heart that Ben can change, however, I bet you believed Ray Lewis when he was in his rebuilding period. I get it, your heart bleeds purple…

tobiasjodter says:Jan 31, 2011 2:02 PM

Goodell said … he talked to “I bet two dozen [Steeler] players … Not one, not a single player, went to his defense. It wasn’t personal in a sense, but all kinds of stories like, ‘He won’t sign my jersey.’ ”

——————————————–

Are we to understand that this was the basis of Goodell suspending Roethlisberger? He polled Steeler players? They didn’t like him because he hurt their feelings so OK let’s go ahead and suspend him? This is shocking and I can’t believe the commentary isn’t about this admission by Goodell. So if they all had liked him then what?

CKL says:Jan 31, 2011 2:25 PM

mborz says: Jan 31, 2011 9:10 AM

Roethlisberger is an idiot, we all know that. There’s really not much anyone can say about this guy that would surprise me.

But even more important than that, It’s great that the NFL has a commissioner that engages in this gossipy, “half-off-the-record” type stuff. This is typical of Goodell’s character.

This guy is just what the NFL needs, especially with the upcoming negotiations. Because people really value that kind of behavior.
_________________________________
I’m pretty sure you’re a Steelers fan (I’m a Pats fan) and I agree with you about everything you posted. Goodell pisses me off more and more every day. I despise BR but the idea that Goodell says ad nauseum that he holds front office types to a higher standard of behavior then he acts like some 13 year old on Twitter is disgusting. UNLESS GOODELL HAS BEN’S AND HIS TEAMMATE’S PERMISSION TO SAY THIS (and why would they give it?) he has NO BUSINESS saying this stuff.

It’s dumb to feel that Steelers fans should turn their backs on their team if they dislike the actions of 1 player. Believe me I have struggled rooting for Randy Moss who I never wanted on the Pats and even Corey Dillon at first. When I heard he was traded I was driving home from work thinking, “What dumb team would trade for THAT headache???” and when they said NE I about drove off the road. But your team is your team.

I think what can be distasteful, at least to me, is Steelers fans waxing poetic about what a good guy he is now after only this short time. I think Ben has a shot to be a tad more sincere than Vick (whose huge ego and lack of true remorse shines through all the time if you listen to him carefully) but we shall see.

“I’m not buying any of it. Both of these guys, Vick and Roethlisberger are not good people, they would still be either drowning dogs or treating everyone like they are inferior, respectively, had they not been called on the carpet.”

I’m not sure I agree with this. You have to run into a brick wall to change sometimes. Only time will tell if either of these guys is different, but to say they have only changed because they got caught…well true, but that is how any of us change. Just like we all eat crap until we have a heart attack…then we change our eating habits, but we’d still be eating the same crap if we didn’t have that heart attack (I hope I never do…I need to eat better).

I will say that I expected PFT to make sure that there was a BR rape story hashed at Superbowl XLV but to hear Goodell is absolutely amazing. Not only the actual information but the timing of it all just stinks to high heaven. I have to admit that i am a Steelers fan but up to this point, I was not one who believed “the league” had it out for the Steelers but for the Commissioner to share private conversations the week before the biggest game of the NFL year has made me re-think my position.
So now Big Ben will be asked “how does it feel knowing that there are some players on your team that wouldn’t go to bat for you with the Commissioner?” …..predictable. NoGood-ell thanks for the edge!

juancorsair says:Jan 31, 2011 3:46 PM

suhnami says:

My favorite is this whole Ben or Rodgers question being thrown out. the answer is simple to me…without Ben Pittsburgh went 3-1 to start the year…now, without Aaron Rodgers does anyone on here honestly think the Packers win more than 5 games???

I guess you missed it when the Pack came within 4 points of beating the much-vaunted “going all the way because they are invincable” New England Patriots IN New England, with their backup QB.

Nothing like reading ill informed opinions by anonymous know-nothings on these forums. God bless the internet.

footballfan says:Jan 31, 2011 3:50 PM

as to the alleged shooting, police investigated it and there was nothing to it.

get a life.

***********

Funny, The police investigated the Roethlisburger accusations and there was no evidence either…. Sounds like you need to get a life…

steelersmichele says:Jan 31, 2011 4:44 PM

CKL, thank you for your post. I agree with you that sometimes you have players on your team that you may not like, but what can you do? You can’t stop cheering for your team. You didn’t like Moss, but I’m sure you were happing when he was catching TD passes and your team won games. There is nothing wrong with that.

I think I speak for some Steelers fans here when I say I don’t condone Ben’s behavior off the field. I don’t know what did or didn’t happen, but I have some common sense and formed my own personal opinions as to what happened. With that in mind, it will take some time for me to see whether he’s changed or just put on a mask for the public.

At the same time I am a Steelers fan and I want my team to win. I support Ben on the field. Seriously, am I supposed to say Ben should play horribly and lose the game so he learns a lesson? I don’t think so. I want a 7th championship. To think any fan would purposely root against their team and hope for a loss because they have one player who is a bad person is ridiculous.

Deb says:Jan 31, 2011 6:11 PM

I see a couple of you have missed me.

JimmySmith and ArtModellsPimp … let’s be clear: I’ve said many times that Roethlisberger is a jackass who deserved his comeuppance and suspension. Not a Roethlisberger groupie. If we’re talking about looks, I prefer Matt Hasselbeck.

But the evidence shows he didn’t rape or sexually assault anyone. It seems some women will have sex–or try to have sex–with anyone, even a jackass.

True sexual predators do not clean up their acts. Jackasses can, however. I hope for his sake, that this one has.

neilpountney is absolutely right. It was completely classless and unprofessional for Goodell to speak about his private decisionmaking process regarding Roethlisberger. The man has no ethics at all.

contract says:Jan 31, 2011 6:22 PM

Sports? Illustrated is putting on a full court press to distract Ben and the Steelers in the run up to the Super Bowl.

Nobody thinks Steeler fans should withdraw their sporting allegiance to their team’s QB. But for the love of Mike Tomlin, would some of you puleeeze quit playing lawyer claiming the guy was never charged or convicted like he’s a victim or something? He bought drinks for underage co-eds, lured one of them into the bathroom and had his off-duty cop pals keep her friends from rescuing her while he shtupped her! And the only reason it wasn’t prosecuted is because of the lack of witnesses in the bathroom and his cop friends, who apparently have practiced this little drunken rape game before. Let’s not even go into the hostess at the golf tournament, whose job relied on the resort’s celebrity-friendly status. This guy is a criminal, and his challenging reaction to Goodell’s statement clearly shows he thinks he can push the envelope of his untouchability further. The Rooney family will cut this maggot loose fast if he wants to start laying his unrepenant superstar attitude on Goodell. It’s about time someone started cleaning up the National Felons League of lowlife asswipes like Mental Ben. He’d better pay attention and wise up fast.

He bought drinks for underage co-eds, lured one of them into the bathroom and had his off-duty cop pals keep her friends from rescuing her while he shtupped her!

___________

With the exception of buying the underage co-eds drinks (they were using fake IDs and following Roethlisberger from bar to bar), there is no evidence that any of the other stuff happened. The sorority girls said that it did (in differing, often conflicting stories), other witnesses said that it did not. The fact that the media took the sorority girls’ stories as the whole truth, presented them as fact, and now millions of idiots parrot it like its the gospel truth is what is infuriating about this whole mess.